Description of Herodotus. Traveler Herodotus: geographical discoveries

Dictionary-reference book on Ancient Greece and Rome, on mythology

HERODOTUS- (c. 484 – 425 BC) Greek historian, “father of history.” From Halicarnassus he moved to Samos, and then to Athens; traveled extensively in Egypt, Eastern Europe and Asia. Died in Thurii (Southern Italy). Describing the war in his nine-volume “History”... ... List of Ancient Greek names

Herodotus- Herodotus (c. 425 BC) ancient Greek historian. Born in the city of Halicarnassus (). After the establishment of tyranny in the city, Herodotus left it. He traveled a lot: he visited Asia Minor, Babylon, Phenicia, Egypt, various cities of the Balkan... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary of World History

Herodotus- (Herodotus, Ηρόδοτος). Father of History, b. in Halicarnassus in 484 BC. To collect materials for his history, he traveled to Greece and other countries, and therefore his writings contain many personal observations, often... ... Encyclopedia of Mythology

Herodotus- Herodotus, Herodotos, 485 ca. 425 BC e., Greek historian. Born in Halicarnassus, a Greek city in Caria, founded by the Dorians, which in the middle of the 5th century. BC e. was subject to strong Ionian influence. A close relative of G. was a poet... ... Ancient writers

HERODOTUS- (between 490 and 480 around 425 BC), ancient Greek historian, father of history. Author of essays on the Greco-Persian wars, the history of the Achaemenid state, Egypt, etc.; gave the first description of the life and everyday life of the Scythians... Modern encyclopedia

HERODOTUS- (between 490 and 480 c. 425 BC) ancient Greek historian, nicknamed the father of history. Author of works devoted to the description of the Greco-Persian wars outlining the history of the Achaemenid state, Egypt, etc.; gave the first systematic description... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Herodotus- (Herodotus) (c. 490/480 c. 430/420 BC), other Greek. historian, father of history. G. owns a detailed narrative in 9 books about the Greco-Persian wars. In fact, the chronological scope of his work is wider, it also includes... ... The World History

Herodotus- (between 490 and 480 around 425 BC), ancient Greek historian, “father of history.” Author of essays on the Greco-Persian wars, the history of the Achaemenid state, Egypt, etc.; gave the first description of the life and everyday life of the Scythians. ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Herodotus- (between 490 and 480 around 425 BC), ancient Greek historian, nicknamed the father of history. Author of works devoted to the description of the Greco-Persian wars outlining the history of the Achaemenid state, Egypt, etc.; gave the first systematic description... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Books

  • Herodotus (1972 ed.), Herodotus. This publication opens a new academic series, which will present works that played a significant role in the development of historical thought. Translation of the History of Herodotus was...

Herodotus

One of the first learned travelers was Herodotus, who, according to Cicero, is"father of history" Herodotus was born around 484 BC in the Asia Minor city of Halicarnassus. He came from a rich and noble family with extensive trading connections. At a young age, due to political turmoil, he left his hometown and lived on the island of Samos. Disillusioned with politics, Herodotus began to become interested in the history of his people and, above all, mythology. Many researchers believe that it was the desire to visit the places where Hercules performed his exploits that prompted Herodotus to travel. Coming from a wealthy family, Herodotus did not need money.

He traveled all over Greece and Asia Minor, then sailed to the Phoenician city of Tire. Most of all, Herodotus was attracted to the East and its rich cultural heritage. Herodotus traveled through Libya, visited Babylon, but he was especially struck by Egypt, where he stayed for three months. In Egypt, he asked the inscriptions to be translated for him, asking the priests about the history of this state. He was interested not only in the life of the pharaohs, but also visited embalmers' workshops. He measured the length of the perimeter of the base of the pyramids in steps, making specific mathematical calculations. Returning to Greece, Herodotus shared his knowledge with his compatriots. This was his first trip.

Herodotus's second journey passed through Asia Minor, from where he arrived by ship to the Northern Black Sea region, through the Helespont to the Milesian colony of Olbia at the mouth of the Dnieper-Bug estuary. There he met with the nomadic tribes of the Scythians, observed their customs and rituals, and studied their social system.

Herodotus devoted his third journey to studying the Balkan Peninsula. He traveled around the Peloponnese, the islands of the Aegean Sea (Delos, Pharos, Zakif and others), then traveled through southern Italy and the north of the Balkan Peninsula.

Herodotus traveled for 10 years (from 455 to 445 BC), and outlined all his observations in 9 books, each of which was named after one of the muses. In his famous work “History,” Herodotus described not only the history of many peoples, but also ethnographic signs, i.e. description of facial features, skin color, type of clothing, way of life, rituals, folk signs, general way of life, etc.

Herodotus's "History" intricately combines his personal observations, real information about distant countries obtained in his travels, with a retelling of mythological events. Herodotus is distrustful of stories about people with goat legs or werewolves from the Neuroi tribe, but he quite seriously describes the giant gold-mining ants from the Indian desert. Herodotus also did not believe the testimony of the Phoenicians, who circumnavigated the African continent, that during the voyage the sun turned out to be on their right side.

Despite the existing inaccuracies, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of Herodotus’ work. He collected many ancient ideas about the world, described the geography of many countries, the life of different peoples.

Only fragments of his writings have reached us, but the main thing is that Herodotus has the glory of the first Greek tourist, since, unlike his predecessors, he traveled not to achieve some other goals, but for the sake of the journey itself, i.e. for the sake of pleasure, to satisfy one’s own inquisitiveness and curiosity.

Herodotus believed that the clearest example of a traveling people were the Etruscans, or, as the Greeks called them, Tyrrhenians or Tyrsenians - people from the state of Lydia, located on the territory of Asia Minor. The name of the legendary Etruscan prince Tyrsenus was preserved in the name of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Returning as a young man to his homeland, Halicarnassus, the famous traveler took part in the popular movement against the tyrant Lygdamis and contributed to his overthrow. In 444 BC, Herodotus attended the Panathenaic festivals and read excerpts from the description of his travels there, causing general delight. At the end of his life, he retired to Italy, to Turium, where he died around 425 BC, leaving behind him the fame of a famous traveler and an even more famous historian.

traveler tourism geography regional studies

What did Herodotus do? What did Herodotus write? The geographical discoveries of Herodotus were of great importance for the development of geography, history and cartography. Herodotus first founded educational tourism.

Herodotus- one of the first geographers and travel scientists.

What Herodotus discovered in geography:

  • for the first time described in detail the real picture of the world of those times;
  • compiled maps of the basins of the Azov, Caspian and Black Seas;
  • collected information about the life of the Sarmatians and Scythians, which subsequently helped in excavations;
  • discovered a mythical female ethnic group: the Amazons;
  • the first geographer who described the terrain and features of the rivers of Ancient Egypt;
  • explored the Balkan Peninsula;
  • outlined the boundaries of the ecumene (known territory) and identified three climatic zones: the northern (Scythia), the second, located in the Mediterranean, and the third - part of North Africa and Arabia;
  • described signs, rituals, myths, and history of many peoples.

To write his famous History, he traveled to all the famous countries of his time: Greece, Southern Italy, Asia Minor, Egypt, Babylonia, Persia, visited most of the islands of the Mediterranean Sea, visited the Black Sea, the Crimea (up to Chersonese) and the country of the Scythians.

Herodotus collected the information he saw about the life of the people, their customs, the floods of the Nile, and recorded data about the pyramids. These records will become the beginning of a historical chronicle (which is why Herodotus was subsequently given the “title” of the father of history). Having passed Egypt, he descended further south, but, remaining confident in the proximity of the ocean, thanks to which he could return clockwise through Gibraltar to Alexandria, Herodotus went back to Saudi Arabia.

Probably, the excessive religiosity of the inhabitants inhabiting the Arabian Peninsula forced them to quickly leave these lands and continue their journey first to Babylon, Persia, and then to India, distant at that time. Having reached the end of the world, which ended right here, Herodotus described in detail the morals and customs of the inhabitants of this country. He recognized India's equality and its possible future power in the world.

GEORODOTUS.

STORY


Book I CLIO

Herodotus of Halicarnassus collected and wrote down this information1 so that past events would not fall into oblivion over time and the great and amazing deeds2 of both the Hellenes and the barbarians would not remain unknown, especially why they waged war with each other.

1. According to people knowledgeable among the Persians, the Phoenicians were the originators of the discord between the Hellenes and the barbarians. The latter arrived from the so-called Red Sea to Our Sea3 and settled in the country where they still live4. The Phoenicians immediately set out on long sea voyages. Transporting Egyptian and Assyrian goods to many countries, they, by the way, arrived in Argos. Argos in those days was the most significant city in the country, which is now called Hellas. When the Phoenicians arrived at the aforementioned Argos5, they put their goods up for sale. On the fifth or sixth day after their arrival, when almost all the goods had already been sold, the king’s daughter, among many other women, came to the seashore. Her name was Io, daughter of Inachus; the Hellenes call it the same. The women stood at the stern of the ship and bought the goods they liked most. Then the Phoenicians, at this sign, attacked the women. Most of the women, however, escaped, but they managed to capture Io and several others. The Phoenicians dragged the women onto the ship and then hastily sailed to Egypt6.

2. So, the Persians say, Io ended up in Egypt. The Hellenes convey it differently. This event served as the first cause of hostility. Then, they further say, some Hellenes (they cannot give a name) arrived in Tire of Phoenicia and kidnapped the royal daughter Europa. They must have been Cretans8. With this they only repaid the Phoenicians for their misconduct. Then the Hellenes again offended the barbarians. They arrived on a warship to Aea in Colchis and to the mouth of the Phasis River. Having completed all the business for which they had arrived there, the Hellenes then kidnapped the royal daughter Medea. The king of the Colchians then sent an envoy to Hellas demanding a penalty for the kidnapped woman and the return of his daughter. The Hellenes, however, gave the following answer: since they themselves did not receive a penalty for the kidnapping of the Argive woman Io, they will not give anything to the king.

3. Then in the next generation, they say, Alexander, son of Priam, who heard about this kidnapping, wanted to get a woman from Hellas for himself by kidnapping. He was firmly convinced that he would not be punished, since the Hellenes did not pay anything then. After Alexander had kidnapped Helen in this way, the Greeks first decided to send envoys to return Helen and demand a penalty for the kidnapping. The Trojans responded by reproaching them for kidnapping Medea. Then, they said, the Hellenes themselves did not give any penalty and did not return Medea, but now they are demanding a penalty from others.

4. Until now, only temporary abductions of women have occurred. As for the subsequent time, then, undoubtedly, the heavy guilt lies with the Hellenes, since they went on a campaign to Asia earlier than the barbarians went to Europe. The abduction of women, it is true, is an unjust matter, but trying to take revenge for the abduction, according to the Persians, is reckless. In any case, the wise one is the one who does not care about kidnapped women. It is clear that women would not have been kidnapped if they themselves did not want it. According to the Persians, the inhabitants of Asia do not pay any attention to the abduction of women, but the Hellenes, on the contrary, for the sake of a woman from Lacedaemon, gathered a huge army, and then crossed to Asia and crushed the power of Priam. From this time on, the Persians always recognized the Hellenes as their enemies. After all, the Persians consider Asia and the barbarian tribes living there to be theirs, while Europe and Hellas are a foreign country for them.

5. This, say the Persians, was the course of events, and the capture of Ilion, they think, was the cause of hostility towards the Hellenes. The Phoenicians tell a different story about the abduction of Io than the Persians, that’s what. Precisely, according to them, they did not take Io forcibly to Egypt at all, since she had already entered into a love affair with the owner of the ship in Argos. When she felt pregnant, out of shame in front of her parents, she voluntarily left with the Phoenicians to hide her shame. This is what the Persians and Phoenicians say. As for me, I do not undertake to say whether it happened exactly this way or in any other way. However, I want to name the person who, as I myself know, initiated hostilities against the Hellenes. Then, in continuation of my story, I will describe in a similar way both small and great human cities. After all, many once great cities have now become small, and those that were powerful in my time were previously insignificant. And since I know that human happiness is changeable, I will equally mention the fate of both. 6. Croesus, by birth a Lydian10, son of Alyattes, was the ruler of the peoples on this side of the river Halys (Galis flows from south to north between the lands of the Syrians11 and Paphlagonians and flows into the sea called the Euxine Pontus). This Croesus, as far as I know, was the first of the barbarians to conquer part of the Hellenes and force them to pay tribute to themselves; with others he concluded treaties of alliance. He conquered the Ionians, Aeolians and Asian Dorians12, and entered into an alliance with the Lacedaemonians. However, before the rule of Croesus, all Hellenes were free. After all, the invasion of the Cimmerians13, who even before the time of Croesus reached Ionia, was not a long-term conquest, but rather a simple raid to capture booty.

7. The power that previously belonged to the house of Heraclides passed to the family of Croesus (this family is called the Mermnads)14. It happened this way: Candaules, whom the Greeks call Mirsilos, was the tyrant of Sardis. He was a descendant of Alcaeus, son of Hercules. The first king of Sardis from the house of Heraclides was Agron, son of Ninus, grandson of Bel, great-grandson of Alcaeus. Candaules, son of Myrs, was their last king. The kings who ruled this country before Agron were descendants of Lydas, the son of Atys, that Lydian from whom all the present people (formerly called Maeons) received the name Lydians. From them, according to the oracle, the Heraclides received power. The latter descended from Hercules and the slave girl Jordan and ruled for 22 human generations 15, 505 years, and their son always inherited power from his father right up to Candaules, the son of Myrs.

8. This Candaules was very much in love with his wife and, like a lover, believed that he had the most beautiful woman in the world. Among his bodyguards was a certain Gyges, son of Dascylus, whom he especially valued. Candaules trusted this Gyges with the most important matters and even praised the beauty of his wife. Soon after this (after all, Candaules was predicted to have a bad end), he turned to Gyges with these words: “Gyges, you seem to not believe what I told you about the beauty of my wife (after all, people trust their ears less than their eyes), so try to see her naked.” Crying loudly in amazement, Gyges answered: “What foolish words, sir, are you speaking! Are you telling me to look at a naked mistress? After all, women, along with their clothes, take off their shame! 17 People have long learned the rules of decency and they should be learned. One of them is the main thing: let everyone look only after his own. I believe that she is the most beautiful of all women, but I still ask: do not demand from me anything contrary to customs.”

The geographical discoveries of Herodotus were of significant importance for the culture of antiquity. Cicero called the traveler the “father of history” for his famous work. The book is also valuable for Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, since it describes the ancient peoples of these lands, as well as the nature of that time. What exactly discoveries are we talking about? What is known about the life and knowledge of the great traveler?

Expelled from Halicarnassus

The life of Herodotus is known from two sources: the texts of the traveler himself and the Byzantine encyclopedia. Some of the information contradicts each other.

The birth of Herodotus, whose geographical discoveries will interest many people, occurred between the Persian wars. It is believed to be 484 BC. His birthplace was Halicarnassus, which was founded on the Mediterranean coast. His family was quite influential. From a young age, Herodotus joined the party that fought against the tyranny of Lygdamidas. For this he was expelled from his native place. He lived on Samos, an island in the Aegean Sea. From there he went on a long journey.

In 446 BC, the traveler began to live in Athens, where he became close to Pericles. He died in 425 BC.

In Babylon

The ancient majestic capital of Assyria became one of the first geographical discoveries of Herodotus. It was from Babylon that he began his journey. The city was surrounded by a moat with water and strong double walls made of brick. The streets were located strictly along lines. The traveler was especially impressed by the architecture of the times of Netoktis and Semiramis. Thanks to the rule of these wise women, rowing, irrigation canals, and a bridge were built in the city.

In general, Herodotus respectfully describes the culture of the Ancient East, remembering its importance for the life of the ancient world. He revealed to his contemporaries and descendants a lot of information about the peoples who inhabited the territory of modern Tien Shan and Turkmenistan.

In India

While in Assyria, Herodotus heard a lot about the wonders of an unknown country called India. The geographical discoveries of Herodotus continued in this amazing country. According to him, the first news about India was received from King Darius. One day he sent his subjects there to explore the route from the mouth of the Indus River to the Red Sea.

The area attracted a wide variety of colorful birds, huge animals, and unusual vegetation. At that time, the Greeks did not know what rice was. It is believed that it was Herodotus who gave his people a new nutritious cereal. In India, he learned about cotton, which replaced animal wool.

About the people who inhabited India, he said that they spoke different languages ​​and were engaged in different trades. Some peoples were nomads, others had a permanent place of residence. What geographical discovery did Herodotus make in the Northern Black Sea region?

Scythia

Herodotus was the first to give a detailed description of the life and traditions of the Scythians. Before his journey to this country little was known about them. First of all, the traveler was struck by the flat terrain and the large amount of fertile soil (chernozem). Being a resident of warm regions, he was surprised by the fairly long winter, which lasted about eight months.

The traveler described the local rivers in some detail:

  • Istr is the modern name of the Danube;
  • Tiris is the modern name of the Dniester;
  • Borysthenes is the modern name of the Dnieper.

The description of the Scythian peoples was proven by excavations that were carried out in modern times. Herodotus was especially interested in the customs of nomadic tribes and their military tactics. They skillfully retreated during an attack in order to lure the enemy into advantageous territory, and only then did they engage in open battle.

Egypt

The geographical discoveries of the traveler Herodotus in Egypt struck his imagination more than in other countries. Moreover, his knowledge was of great importance for his country at that time. What impressed him most was the Nile flood. He tried to unravel the mystery of what was happening. To do this, he visited the island of Elaphantine, where there was a well for measuring the water level in the Nile. It was connected to the river by a special device. The walls of the well were made of granite, there were well-fixed planks in it, by which the water level in the river was measured. This way the Egyptians could calculate the beginning of the flood.

The traveler made a description of the Egyptians, their way of life, and interesting inventions. He was amazed by the connection between people and animals. This was not the case in Greece. Herodotus was surprised that the Egyptians entered into agreements with cats, crocodiles and other animals.

After Egypt, the traveler visited Libya. He described all his travels. It was in Athens that most of his notes were made. He read excerpts of his future work to the Athenians. What is the work of Herodotus?

Work

The geographical discoveries of Herodotus (they are briefly described in geography textbooks) are described in “History”. But this work cannot be called a historical study. Rather, it is a masterful description of an inquisitive, gifted person who knows how to communicate and observe what is happening.

His book contains elements of an encyclopedia (information):

  • geographical;
  • ethnographic;
  • natural history;
  • literary.

Herodotus's work consists of nine books. Each has its own name, which is the name of one of the nine muses of Greek mythology.

What did the traveler not know?

It is already known what geographical discoveries Herodotus made. However, he was a representative of his time and could not possess modern knowledge. So, what did the great traveler not know?

He didn't know the name "Africa". It was first mentioned in a literary work of the third century BC. This name did not refer to the mainland, but only to the possessions of Carthage. After the Romans destroyed it, they created the province of Africa. Later this name spread to the continent.

Herodotus did not recognize the Greek belief that the earth was a circle surrounded by the Oceanus River. But he himself could not say for sure what was located outside the countries known to him. And yet his knowledge was very deep.

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